He is a fourth-generation kamaaina born on Oahu who earned a journalism degree from the University of Hawaii. Gomes has been a reporter for local newspapers since the mid-1990s. He regularly enjoys surfing, bodysurfing and skateboarding.
The 33rd biennial session of the Hawaii Legislature opened Wednesday at the state Capitol with the usual pageantry and entertainment, but also unusual displays of internal discord on both the House and Senate floors. Read more
Hawaii’s largest electrical utility has formalized a three-year plan to reduce future wildfire risks in a new report filed with state regulators. Read more
Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said HUD’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery fund award represents a critical milestone in the effort to recover from the fires in Lahaina and Kula. Read more
A coalition of local community organizations pushing for reform at the Hawaii Legislature has some new backing inside the state Capitol. Read more
The state Office of Hawaiian Affairs worked to wrangle public support Wednesday night for its revamped proposal to undo a state law prohibiting residential use of land it owns in Kakaako. Read more
A panel advising Gov. Josh Green is urging the state Legislature to appropriate almost $2 billion over the next five years to help reduce and respond to future natural disaster damage in Hawaii. Read more
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The state Office of Hawaiian Affairs has rekindled an effort to undo a ban on residential use of land it owns in Kakaako, but with a new twist aimed at swaying past opponents and a majority of state lawmakers. Read more
Oahu’s housing market came close to achieving a total rebound in 2024 following price and sale volume declines in 2023. Read more
Trying to combat illegal fireworks has been an annual tradition for Hawaii lawmakers in recent years as household use of contraband pyrotechnics causes pervasive harm. Read more
The governor intends to provide “critical insight” into the implications of Kennedy’s nomination by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Health and Human Services secretary, according to Green’s office. Read more
Maui County is lifting access restrictions to much of a largely commercial area of Lahaina destroyed by wildfire more than a year ago. Read more
Nurses at a second Hawaii hospital are taking a vote on whether to authorize a strike amid protracted labor contract negotiations. Read more
A nonprofit affordable-housing developer plans to expand residential use in Kalaeloa with a midrise apartment rental complex on former Navy land. Read more
The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands has selected a developer with ties to the agency’s leader to build out a big part of a homestead community on Hawaii island. Read more
A donation from Priscilla Chan and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg will help make five homes on Kauai affordable to moderate- income households in perpetuity. Read more
If granted, a do-over election could extend what already has been a topsy-turvy contest. Read more
Hawaii’s largest mall, Ala Moana Center, is opening at 8 a.m. Friday, or two hours earlier than a typical weekday. Read more
Kelly King’s legal challenge contends that a higher-than-normal percentage of sealed mail-in ballots were rejected by County Clerk Moana Lutey due to deficiencies with required voter signatures on ballot envelopes. Read more
The first 24 homes in FEMA’s 167-unit temporary housing community called Kilohana were provided to fire survivors over the past weekend. Read more
Maui County has tentatively secured land to enlarge the only major municipal solid waste landfill on the Valley Isle and bury debris from the August 2023 wildfire that destroyed most of Lahaina. Read more
Stanford Carr Development, the local firm developing the 23-story Hale Moiliili project with 278 units, is highly confident that more than enough demand will exist for the project featuring studios to three-bedroom units. Read more
